Published: 2016 May 07 06:22:13 (3627 Views)

Bulawayo councillors have been caught up in an alleged land grabbing sphere that has triggered the government to deploy a commission of inquiry to investigate the corruption allegations.

The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Engineer George Mlilo said the appointment of the commission was necessitated by complaints raised by Bulawayo residents over the conduct of some of its councillors.

Bulawayo councillors have recently come under the spotlight over alleged corruption where they are accused of acquiring land at low prices at the expense of service delivery.

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) petitioned Parliament over the alleged graft.

In their petition residents cited Ward 7 Councillor James Sithole and Ward 9 Clr Charles Moyo who were awarded town house stands at Parklands as examples of the alleged crooked deals.
Their stands, measuring 3,7 hectares and 2,3 hectares cost $184,000 and $112,000.

The latest council report reveals that two councillors Lot Siziba of Ward 13 and Ward 24’s Gideon Mangena, vehemently opposed a decision by other councillors to award the land to Clrs Moyo and Sithole.

They argued that the acquisition was against a ministerial directive regarding possession of commercial or residential stands by councillors.

After being overruled, Clrs Siziba and Mangena requested that it be put on record that the decision was passed against their reservations.

Other councillors including Silas Chigora, Ernest Rafomoyo, Thobani Ncube and Siboniso Khumalo said councillors have a right to acquire commercial and residential stands just like any other residents.

Deputy Mayor Gift Banda has also been accused of underhand dealings in acquiring land at Ascot to build town houses. The three councillors deny wrongdoing, saying their acquisitions were above board but residents and the government argue the land deals are irregular.

The scramble for stands by councillors was also exposed in the latest council minutes where Cowdray Park councillor Clr Collet Ndlovu has applied for land to establish a sports bar on Stand 4370 Cowdray Park.



- Chronicle

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